Double Bass Slackening bow between sessions?

[El Thumpo]

Forgive me if I'm dredging up a well-known question, but I can't find the issue raised in any of the sticky links.

My question is this: when you're putting your bow away between sessions, do you slacken it? Is it okay if it stays at tension?

I currently slacken my bow when I'm transporting it, but keep it at my preferred tension when it and my instrument are on their stand at home. Mistake or standard practice? Thanks.

 

[Andy Mopley]

I slacken (the tensions!!) between sessions, even between performances...From what I know, it helps to keep the "bend" in the shape of the bow..

 

[coldtrain]

Let out the tension whenever you are not playing. The hair will lose its elasticity if it's constantly under tension.

 

[Andrew McGregor]

The bow itself won't be hurt, but the hair will become unusable very quickly if you don't slacken it off when you're not playing.

 

[Brent Nussey]

That's actually not quite correct. The great bowmaker Sue Lipkins told me that if you're on a break and coming back, 30 minutes shouldn't be a problem, but to never leave it for more than a half day or so. The reason is that the bow may lose it's camber. Bows need to rest when not in use.

Personally, I have no problem adjusting the bow to appropriate tension, so on any break from practicing or at a gig, I take the tension off and put the bow safely in it's case.

 

[PaulCannon]

If you keep it under full tension at all times, the stick may become warped or lose some cambering. However, if you slack it completely the hair can get nasty if there's enough rosin on it to clump and congeal. This is especially a problem if you live in a swamp like Houston.

I take most of the tension off when I put it away, but leave it where the hair will still vibrate if I tap on the stick.

 

[Thumpie]

I slacken between sessions for all the reasons listed above.

Once you get comfortable using the bow, you'll be able to crank it up to proper tension on the fly. I even make micro-adjustments mid-song.

 

[Andrew McGregor]

That's actually not quite correct. The great bowmaker Sue Lipkins told me that if you're on a break and coming back, 30 minutes shouldn't be a problem, but to never leave it for more than a half day or so. The reason is that the bow may lose it's camber. Bows need to rest when not in use.

Personally, I have no problem adjusting the bow to appropriate tension, so on any break from practicing or at a gig, I take the tension off and put the bow safely in it's case.

Of course, I've been using carbon bows for quite a few years now... wood is a different story.

 

[Brent Nussey]

Ah, that's true. I only just recently tried one of those, but my understanding is that they have a permanent shape, and so the only danger would be as you say, stretching the hair out.